Golden Age Cinema & Classic Bars in Los Angeles

Opened by Sid Grauman in 1927, this is the original Hollywood movie palace — reviewers describe it as 'a landmark theater where watching a movie feels more like an experience than just a regular screening' and specifically call out Interstellar in 70mm and Oppenheimer as 'absolutely gorgeous in the main room, both screen and architecture — it is truly a movie palace.

The 1922 Grauman's Egyptian — now owned and restored by Netflix — is one of the great second-chance preservation stories in Hollywood; reviewers describe seeing Rear Window here as 'one of my all-time best movie theatre experiences — beautiful auditorium, reasonably priced concessions, and an introduction from the usher that makes watching a movie feel like an event.

Disney's fully restored 1926 movie palace across from the TCL Chinese Theatre — reviewers call it 'one of my favorite movie venues: historic, beautiful, always spotless, with pre-movie entertainment on weekends and film costumes and props on display in the lobby' — the only place in LA where the house experience is as deliberate as the film.

Quentin Tarantino's single-screen Los Feliz cinema — a 4.8-star Egyptian Revival theater where reviewers describe 'VistaVision truly worth the hype, beautiful picture, beautiful theater, everyone working there actually wants to be there, the passion for film as an art is evident' — no trailers, coconut oil popcorn, and a programming mix of 70mm prints and new releases that is the best moviegoing experience in the city.

A 1936 Art Deco concert hall and event venue on Wilshire that reviewers describe as 'a real classic theater with great vibes, excellent sound and lighting, and a feel that reminds you of both the Fillmore and the Great American Music Hall — just a little more gritty and worn out, in a good way' — the most architecturally intact non-Hollywood Boulevard theater on this list.

Open since 1919 on Hollywood Boulevard — Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Bogart, Chaplin, and Chandler all drank here — reviewers call it 'an iconic and legendary space: old school and cool Hollywood vibe, sitting at the bar is great people watching, food and drinks overall excellent' and say 'there is no place with a better story' while recommending the steak tartare and the martini unconditionally.

The 4.6-star Los Feliz supper club and lounge operating since 1954 where Swingers was filmed — reviewers describe 'history kissing you on the lips as you walk through the door,' a 'forest motif dining room, live music in the lounge, dim lights and lively chatter that add warmth' and a special cocktail menu served by waiters like Michael who make the whole evening feel like it's 1965.

Hidden behind a door inside Cole's French Dip in downtown LA — the city's oldest bar — The Varnish is a jazz speakeasy where reviewers describe 'the bartenders choice is not to be feared' and a French 75 that was 'one of the tastiest drinks ever,' with live jazz Sunday through Wednesday after 9pm and a room that is 'exactly right for the vibe and decor of a jazz speakeasy.

The restored 1945 WeHo institution where Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Burt Reynolds drank in the same red booths — reviewers describe 'unique Chinese-American menu items delivered in a fantastic old school Hollywood atmosphere, walls of photos of the great stars of the past, and a feeling of history you can physically sit inside of' — the train car section and original bar are essential.

A 5-floor DTLA venue inside a restored 1931 cafeteria on Broadway where reviewers describe it as 'less of a bar and more of a time machine with a cocktail in hand — every inch packed with vintage charm, quirky decor, and that wild only-in-DTLA energy that keeps you looking around the room in awe' — the hidden tiki bar in the back is the move once you've found the concealed entrance.